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Post by zacharyjarm on Dec 4, 2015 21:09:04 GMT -5
Speaking of infatuations? Post of the year candidate.
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Post by bigdawgs on Dec 5, 2015 15:46:02 GMT -5
Maybe it is the wait. Maybe it is the rumor that the announcement won't come until Monday. But there is an uneasiness creeping into the Nation. Word is details still being worked out. How long does it take to work out details? Unless we are talking CJP and a discussion whether or not he could stay in Athens. Dawg fans remember Glenn Mason. Murphy's Law at work.
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Post by bigdawgs on Dec 5, 2015 15:52:30 GMT -5
Seth Emmerson
ATHENS — In a few hours, Kirby Smart will coach Alabama’s defense in Saturday’s SEC championship. Once that game ends, things should start moving publicly, though certainly there have been things going on behind the scenes for awhile.
Smart should be introduced at Georgia, barring a snag, as soon as possible. It’s in Georgia and Smart’s best interests to do so because this year the NCAA-mandated recruiting period goes “dead” – as in no more recruiting – on Dec. 14, lasting until Jan. 13. So any day, or really any hour, that goes by without Smart officially at the helm means valuable time lost recruiting for Georgia.
It’s also not been resolved yet, or at least announced, whether Smart will continue to coach Alabama’s defense through the end of the season – the national playoff or a bowl – or take over at Georgia full-time. Expect that to be announced shortly after his official hiring as well.
The only thing that could delay an official announcement is a snag in the deal between Smart and Georgia. That wouldn’t just mean his actual salary and the length of the contract, but other matters: Salaries for his assistants, which assistants they will be and how much autonomy there will be, recruiting budget, etc.
If there’s a swift announcement after Saturday’s game, then it will be clear there was no major snag. If not, then it will be worth watching.
Meanwhile, Smart has nine full-time assistant coaches to hire, not to mention support staff, including strength and conditioning. Because of the SEC championship there hasn’t been a tremendous amount new to report in that area. And while Mark Richt’s hiring at Miami means his former assistants now have another obvious option, Richt indicated he wouldn’t be rushing into any decisions.
Based on speaking with various people close to the situation, here’s what can be said right now:
The defensive coordinator spot still depends on whether Will Muschamp is hired as South Carolina’s head coach. If not, then the Muschamp-to-Georgia watch is on. Not only were he and Smart teammates at Georgia for one year, but they served on the same coaching staff twice (Valdosta State and then LSU.) What if Muschamp isn’t available? (He could also replace Smart at Alabama.) Then Jeremy Pruitt is still in play to stay in the job at Georgia. He continues to recruit, as does pretty much the rest of the staff, despite their uncertain status. Smart could also look outside, or even elevate Kevin Sherrer, who spent the past two years as Georgia’s outside linebackers coach, but prior to that was South Alabama’s defensive coordinator for the year. As for the rest of the defensive staff, inside linebackers coach Mike Ekeler is almost certainly headed elsewhere. He’s had interest from several other programs. Defensive line coach Tracy Rocker remains a strong candidate to be retained by Smart, but Florida defensive line coach Chris Rumph could also be targeted. On the offensive side, receivers coach Bryan McClendon’s chances of being retained are high, as are running back coach Thomas Brown’s. The fact McClendon was given the interim coach tag speaks to the respect he has by Georgia’s administration, and the move was lauded by several current and former staffers who were asked about it. Of course if for some reason either isn’t retained they could be on a plane to Coral Gables, Fla., very quickly. And no, Hines Ward won’t be joining the staff unless he changes his mind on the grind that comes with coaching. When you have as many opportunities as Ward has off the field that would be a big sacrifice. The offensive coordinator job is still wide open, at least publicly. Alabama receivers coach Billy Napier and Western Kentucky co-offensive coordinator Tyson Helton were mentioned early, and ESPN’s Mark Schlabach on Saturday said Cincinnati offensive coordinator Eddie Gran. Offensive line coach Rob Sale is still out on the road recruiting. It’s not clear what kind of chance he has to be retained, but he’s still working hard. John Lilly, the tight ends coach and co-special teams coach, would seem the most likely candidate to follow Richt to Miami. That hasn’t been finalized yet, however. Alabama strength and conditioning coordinator Scott Cochran, who is close with Smart, is still a prime candidate to come with him to Athens. But Cochran also likes being at Alabama and Nick Saban could still have a say in things. Finally, this move impacts dozens of other staff members and their families. They may not generate big headlines but this is an uncertain time for them, and that shouldn’t be forgotten.
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Post by 75tranzam on Dec 5, 2015 16:27:43 GMT -5
Sometimes I think the "Dead Period" is misunderstood, especially as it's portrayed in this article. A coach and staff can call and write any recruits as many times as they want. They just can't visit them on their campus or in their home and the recruit can't come to the school. The biggest thing is to have Kirby call ALL of UGA's current recruits and their family as well as targets and touch base. Most of these recruits have been to UGA many times, he just needs to introduce himself as UGA's coach and show them some love.
If he sets up his staff it's another talking point for these calls.
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Post by 75tranzam on Dec 5, 2015 20:48:21 GMT -5
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Post by bigdawgs on Dec 5, 2015 21:01:51 GMT -5
Jeff Schultz, AJC
Kirby Smart will be Alabama’s defensive coordinator for a few more weeks, as the program looks to take home a national title. According to senior defensive back Cyrus Jones, Smart told the team that he will stick around through the post-season run, before taking his post as head coach at Georgia.
The decision mirrors the one made by Tom Herman last year, who won a national championship as Ohio State’s offensive coordinator after accepting the job at Houston. Herman famously wore a UH hat on the field celebrating the win over Oregon. We’ll see if Smart utilizes the same savvy salesmanship if the Crimson Tide can take home the trophy.
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Post by bigdawgs on Dec 5, 2015 21:04:36 GMT -5
ATLANTA — After a week of speculation, Kirby Smart’s future was confirmed by his own players.
As Alabama defensive back Cyrus Jones put it: “It’s pretty hard to keep secrets around here.”
Jones was one of several players who said that, yes, Smart is the next head coach at Georgia. The Crimson Tide defensive coordinator has been on Nick Saban’s staff since 2007, and he will be tasked with winning a national championship at his alma mater.
“He’s been working hard here nine, 10 years?” junior linebacker Ryan Anderson said in the locker room following Alabama’s win over Florida in the SEC championship game. “That’s the goal. To be the head man. It’s just like us coming here. We come here, work hard and go on to the next level.”
Smart has a more pressing task at hand, though: Finishing out a championship season with Saban and Alabama.
Multiple players confirmed that Smart will remain on the Crimson Tide staff through the rest of the season, which could last more than a month.
That’s part of the reason players are fine with him skipping town afterward.
“If he didn’t take it, I would’ve been kind of mad at him,” senior defensive back Geno Matias-Smith said. “That’s what he wants.”
The players found out like almost everyone else did: On Twitter after the Atlanta Journal-Constitution‘s Chip Towers broke the news.
“He was gonna wait until after the season, but after it all came out, we talked to him, had a word, just kept it real with us,” Anderson said.
Saban counseled the younger players after news broke that Smart would be leaving, Matias-Smith said.
“We’ve had a lot of coaches go on and become head coaches,” he said. “We knew Coach Smart’s time would come eventually.”
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Post by bigdawgs on Dec 6, 2015 11:06:05 GMT -5
Will be announced in Athens at 1230 pm EST. Curious to hear McWeasel answer questions about "search committee"
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Post by RHVGator on Dec 6, 2015 11:29:16 GMT -5
Will be announced in Athens at 1230 pm EST. Curious to hear McWeasel answer questions about "search committee" From what I understand, among other things, search committees are used to perform background checks. So, I would suppose, even if you know who you want, and there is only one candidate, you hire a search committee to do the things they are set up to do.
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Post by bigdawgs on Dec 6, 2015 13:00:19 GMT -5
And they did all of that in 36 hours? I have more faith in checking on inbound Syrians.
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Post by bigdawgs on Dec 6, 2015 13:09:04 GMT -5
Presser not til tomorrow. McWeasel being coached on what to say.
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Post by NCBulldawg on Dec 6, 2015 13:12:42 GMT -5
Presser not til tomorrow. McWeasel being coached on what to say. I would look real close, BD. His lips will be moving, but it will be pre-recorded words. I even bet some of the answers won't even match the questions. But, look who we are talking about. And, if they make a mistake with the cameras and show a wide shot, look to see if you see a hand up the back of ADGM's shirt. The puppet has been neutered.
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Post by bigdawgs on Dec 6, 2015 14:42:22 GMT -5
Here are the performance bonuses for Smart:
–$150,000 for reaching the SEC championship game or $400,000 for winning the SEC championship.
–$200,000 for finishing top five in either AP or coaches’ poll.
–Postseason bowls (whichever is greatest)
–$1 million for winning national title
–$600,00 for playing in national championship game.
–$500,000 for reaching national semifinals
–$200,000 for playing in Sugar, Roe, Orange, Cotton, Fiesta or Peach bowls
–$100,00 for playing in Citrus Bowl.
–$75,000 for playing in TaxSlayer, Outback, Belk, Music City, Texas or Liberty bowls
–$50,000 for playing in Birmingham or Independence bowls.
-Academic/other:
–$50,000 if team finished in top third of SEC teams in Graduation Success Rate and Academic Progress Rate.
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Post by Bradimous1 on Dec 6, 2015 15:32:43 GMT -5
In other words, dude could make more than Richt
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Post by bcsbbad on Dec 6, 2015 15:39:35 GMT -5
He was well compensated.....
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Post by bigdawgs on Dec 6, 2015 17:09:39 GMT -5
This is good and what I hoped would happen:
Kirby Smart is already recruiting at Champ Bailey speed this afternoon for UGA. The UGA alum was officially named head coach less than four hours ago.
He’s already gotten in touch with a few of UGA most vital recruiting targets. Derek Cleveland, the father of UGA offensive line commitment Ben Cleveland, told DawgNation that Smart has already made a trip to Stephens County in Toccoa for a visit.
“Very down to earth and high energy,” Cleveland said. “He has a great vision for UGA. We are very excited about him and extremely honored that he took the time to come see Ben this afternoon. It was a good day.”
Cleveland said that Smart came straight up from Atlanta and met up with UGA Director of Recruiting Todd Hartley in Commerce and went to see the 4-star offensive lineman in Toccoa. He also confirmed with DawgNation that he has already spoken with 5-star quarterback commitment Jacob Eason.
Smart also had reached out via a phone call to at least one other target. 5-star athlete Demetris Robertson told ESPN Recruiting Insiders Derek Tyson and Gerry Hamilton that Smart had already reached out to him and wanted him to be one of the key skill guys in the Class of 2016 at UGA.
That’s just the beginning. We’ll continue to update this post as more interactions with the new head man at UGA trickle in.
Jeff Sentell covers UGA football and UGA recruiting for AJC.com and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Follow him on Twitter for the latest on who’s on their way to play Between the Hedges.
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Post by Bradimous1 on Dec 6, 2015 17:24:21 GMT -5
Better get in touch with Clark. He prolly just left Knoxville.
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Post by bigdawgs on Dec 6, 2015 18:26:40 GMT -5
Smart to fly to Washington State on Monday to meet face to face with Jacob Eason.
Jeff Sentell, AJC
We won’t get too epic with this stuff, but the first few recruiting rides of new head coach Kirby Smart might be the stuff of a how-to manual on recruiting one day.
Smart has already phoned 5-star athlete Demetris Robertson and had an in-home visit with 4-star offensive lineman Ben Cleveland. He’s already spoken to 5-star UGA commitment Jacob Eason on the phone, too. He’s officially had the job for less than five hours.
But he’s not done there. Derek Cleveland, Ben’s father, told DawgNation he believed Smart was going to fly cross-country out to Washington to see Eason on Monday. That would logistically have to take place after Smart meets with the media for his first press conference in Athens at 12:30 p.m. on Monday.
That’s how important Eason is to what Smart plans to build at UGA. He’s set to fly across three times zones to convince him he needs to remain a solid commitment to UGA. Eason recently took an official visit to Florida. It also would not be surprising to see him take another official visit to see former UGA head coach Mark Richt at Miami, but that depth chart doesn’t set up as well for him to get on the field fast like it does at UGA.
Look for Smart to quickly convey a short list of offensive coordinator choices with Eason and his family. He will make sure to emphasize the system the offensive coordinator UGA will run no matter who takes the job.
The title might just be “How to make the nation’s No. 4 recruiting class re-fall in love with a new head coach in 10 days.”
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Post by dawgfan17 on Dec 6, 2015 18:37:16 GMT -5
Pretty much the most important recruit of the next couple years for Smart. With Eason on board he has a chance on offense. Without him he will have to figure out how to hide the qb for next year and then still be dealing with a freshman qb in 2017. Cleveland is huge in the fact that we really need to improve the OL and he and Eason are really good friends and if he stays committed the odds of getting Eason is a lot better. I do not expect Eason to be the savior some UGA fans do but he is a hell of a lot better than any QB UGA has on campus right now. If he turns out to be great that is a bonus.
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Post by bigdawgs on Dec 6, 2015 18:42:01 GMT -5
Cleveland isn't going anywhere else. That guy is like Woerner...bleeds Red and Black.
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Post by bigdawgs on Dec 6, 2015 19:04:20 GMT -5
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Post by bigdawgs on Dec 6, 2015 19:05:43 GMT -5
Kirby Smart was announced as the next coach at Georgia on Sunday, but what's next for the long-time Alabama assistant?
There have been reports that Smart will coach Alabama's defense in its College Football Playoff matchup with Michigan State on Dec. 31, and Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban confirmed those rumblings Sunday afternoon.
"Kirby's gonna do what he does over there for the next week or 10 days, and when we come back and start practice, he's gonna come back and do what he does here," Saban said Sunday in a teleconference he shared with Michigan State's Mark Dantonio. "I know the professional integrity that Kirby has and the commitment that he has to our players, as well as his new job. I feel very comfortable that he'll be able to manage that, and I think the University of Georgia's been first class in how they've handled this transition in helping us both be able to do this the way we're gonna do it."
Alabama will have the next week off because of the university's final exams, but it will reconvene the following week to begin preparing for the third-ranked Spartans. The Cotton Bowl semifinal will kick off at 7 p.m. CT on New Year's Eve.
But Smart wasted no time in hitting the recruiting trail for the Bulldogs, already making in-home visits with UGA commits.
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Post by 75tranzam on Dec 6, 2015 19:51:22 GMT -5
I expect to see more of the older Dawg football players around this coaching staff. I've heard some rumblings that players from the Goff and Donnan years didn't feel wanted/appreciated by CMR. I think that may be a small part of why Champ Bailey was so vocal last week after CMR's dismissal.
CKS seems to have hit the ground running, kudos to him.
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Post by bigdawgs on Dec 6, 2015 20:02:12 GMT -5
I honestly think that is so much bs. Donnan has said on multiple times how great the transition was to Richt. Goff says he always felt welcome. Champ wanted a change and that is fine. But I think folks are creating crap now.
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Post by Bradimous1 on Dec 6, 2015 20:02:55 GMT -5
Sabans comments say a lot about Smart.
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Post by bigdawgs on Dec 6, 2015 20:16:13 GMT -5
Sabans comments say a lot about Smart. Yes it does.
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Post by bigdawgs on Dec 6, 2015 20:57:04 GMT -5
ATHENS — One of Kirby Smart’s first acts on Sunday as Georgia’s official head coach was to inquire about the offensive coordinator at another SEC school. Evidently it was not a long conversation.
Dan Enos is just finishing his first year as Arkansas’ offensive coordinator, after spending the previous five as the head coach at Central Michigan. Smart called Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema to ask permission, Bielema told reporters on Sunday night.
But there’s a problem: Enos has a no-compete clause in his contract for other SEC jobs, as Bielemma explained to Smart.
So unless something changes – like Georgia ponying up the dough to get Arkansas to relent – it appears Enos is off the table. The news does offer at least this insight on Smart’s thinking:
Enos used a pro-style offense at Central Michigan and at Arkansas, where he was charged with improving the passing in what had been the Razorbacks’ run-oriented attack. Arkansas improved this year: It ranked 31st in total offense and 33rd in passing offense, after being 63rd and 102nd in those two categories last year.
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Post by bigdawgs on Dec 6, 2015 22:32:00 GMT -5
Right. Boy that Search Committee really did a hell of a job. And I really did make my decision leaving Grant Field last Saturday. Yep..I can sit right next to the former coach and say that with a clear conscience. I am sure the fidgeting and nervousness sitting next to the cool, calm CMR was really nothing, was it? Is it any wonder why Richt decided to take that job in Miami after all....and maybe to show a certain individual that not only is he the most disgusting type of liar, but he might actually be wrong. Fascinating gentleman this McWeasel.
Chip Towers, AJC ATHENS — It was comical really. The University of Georgia went to great lengths to make it appear that the decision to hire Kirby Smart as its next football coach happened quickly and suddenly.
To go by the statements issued on Sunday, one is left to think the Alabama defensive coordinator simply bowled over the university president in their interview that morning, so much so that they needed to scribble out a six-year, $22.5 million agreement right there on a napkin.
No, the Bulldogs got their man on Sunday, but Smart was identified as such weeks ago, pursued, given assurances and, finally, announced. Smart’s selection was ratified by vote of the executive committee of the Georgia Athletic Association board of directors via teleconference call at 12:40 p.m. Sunday.
Even the dismissal of former Georgia coach Mark Richt one week ago can be traced to the desire to acquire the services of this 39-year-old UGA letterman from Bainbridge. Smart, Alabama’s defensive coordinator the last eight years, has been one of the most sought-after head coaching candidates of the last couple of years, including this one. South Carolina and Virginia Tech were among the schools pursuing him the last month.
“I’m honored and excited for the opportunity at Georgia and promise high energy, effort every day, and hard work every minute on the part of all our coaches, staff and student-athletes,” Smart said in a statement released by UGA.
Smart will be formally introduced as Georgia’s coach at a news conference on the UGA campus at 12:30 p.m. on Monday. The school has asked to withhold the location to minimize distractions. He did not return messages seeking comment.
The school had great difficulty keeping its announcement under wraps. President Jere Morehead, who is chairman of the athletic association’s board of directors, was still taking roll of the executive membership when news of the Smart’s appointment was posted on the athletic department’s website. That was eight minutes before the group made the hire official by unanimous vote.
The board approved a six-year contract that will pay him approximately $3.75 million per season, according to a memorandum of understanding released by UGA on Sunday. It is Smart’s first head coaching job.
Mark Richt, who averaged 9.6 wins per year while coaching the Bulldogs for the last 15 years, made $4.1 million annually.
Smart has agreed to coach Alabama through the College Football Playoffs, which begin on New Year’s eve and won’t end until Jan. 11. But he wasted no time getting to work in his new job. He visited a 5-star signee Ben Cleveland, an offensive lineman in Toccoa on Sunday. He also contacted 5-star athlete Demetris Robertson of Savannah on Sunday and planned to fly out to Lake Stevens, Wash., to meet with 5-star quarterback prospect Jacob Eason on Monday.
Cleveland and Eason have signed non-binding grant-in-aid agreements and were slated to enroll at UGA in January before Richt was dismissed last week.
“Very down to earth and high energy,” Derek Cleveland, Ben Cleveland’s father, said of their Sunday visit. “He has a great vision for UGA. We are very excited about him and extremely honored that he took the time to come see Ben this afternoon. It was a good day.”
In the meantime, Smart was busy trying to assemble his coaching staff. He is expected to assemble his staff from members of Georgia’s current staff, some that he will bring with him from Alabama and others outside the region.
Whoever stays or goes, the season continues for Georgia. With the exception of the two coordinators, all of the Bulldogs’ current assistants are contracted through Dec. 31 and continue to work and recruit for UGA.
“I’m planning on staying, as far as I know,” said Tracy Rocker, the Bulldogs’ associate head coach who also coaches defensive line.
Georgia is preparing for a Jan. 2 bowl matchup against Penn State in Jacksonville, Fla., at the Taxslayer Bowl (formerly known as Gator), which was announced Sunday. Assistant head coach/receivers coach Bryan McClendon will serve as Georgia’s interim head coach for that game.
“It’s definitely been a little different, I will say that,” said McClendon, who was a player at Georgia in 2005 when Smart was on staff as running backs coach. “The one thing that hasn’t been different as far as everybody here is knowing it’s still all about the players. You just try to do everything you can to make sure those guys are OK.”
Smart grew up in Bainbridge, the son high school football coach Sonny Smart. He was recruited to play defensive back at Georgia by Ray Goff, then played three years under Jim Donnan. He was named team captain his senior year in 1998.
“Anytime any of your players have success it makes you happy,” said Donnan, who gave Smart his first job in coaching as a graduate assistant in 1999. “You hope you play a small role in their development. But the thing I liked about him from day one was how much he bought into the fact we’d made a change and he was all in. He was on top of things with the other kids and he did a good job of helping me out there. And he was a good player. I don’t think he’s gotten enough credit for the type of players he was.”
Smart finished his career with 13 interceptions, which ranks fourth all-time at Georgia. He was also a four-time member of the SEC academic honor roll. He is married to Mary Beth Lycett, who played basketball at Georgia. They have three children.
Smart coached defensive backs and eventually became defensive coordinator at Valdosta State. He was a graduate assistant at FSU for two years and coached defensive backs at LSU before joining Richt’s staff in 2005.
Smart left Georgia to coach safeties for Miami Dolphins and head coach Nick Saban. Smart followed Saban to Alabama and coached defensive backs for a year before taking over the defense. The Crimson Tide has been among the Top 10 nationally in total defense almost every year since. They are second this year.
“We are really excited for Kirby and his family,” Saban said in a statement released on Sunday by Alabama, which won the SEC championship Saturday. “He’s worked really hard and has done a great job for the University of Alabama, and he’s done a great job working for us for a really long time. He’s really, really appreciated for his hard work and the contribution he’s made to all of the success that we’ve had here.”
Georgia is hoping Smart can put that wealth of championship experience to good use at Georgia. To give them that, Smart is asking for the type of autonomy had at Alabama in regards to personnel and what he needs to build a winning program. Those details have been meted out through Smart’s agent, Jimmy Sexton, in the last week or so.
Or as Morehead claimed in his only statement on Smart, during their interview Sunday morning.
“Following that interview, I accepted the athletic director’s recommendation to hire Kirby,” Morehead said. “I am pleased to welcome Kirby, his wife, Mary Beth, and their three children back home to the University of Georgia, and I look forward to supporting him in his new role as our head football coach.”
The Bulldogs have failed to win an SEC championship in 10 years. The hope is that he can bring them one at least as quick as did Richt, which was his second year.
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Post by bigdawgs on Dec 7, 2015 8:53:48 GMT -5
Glenn Schumann joins UGA staff from Bama. He was a defensive analyst. No clue about what he did in Tuscaloosa. Any thoughts?
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Post by bigdawgs on Dec 7, 2015 12:58:04 GMT -5
Very good Presser. Now get to work.
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